NAWOJ, Women Groups' Synergize Ahead Edo 2024 Election
By Bernadette Idalu
It was a potpourri of ideas, strategies and position taking today, June 15, 2024, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Edo State Council "Press centre" when women came together with the sole aim of reaching decisions which impact and move womenfolks forward, during the "Town Hall" meeting organized by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), in collaboration with the League of Women Voters (NILOWV) and Women in Politics Forum (WIPF).
The meeting which was given direction by the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe ably represented by the Secretary of Council, Comrade Andy Egbon, had the theme, "Engaging grassroots women for robust political participation."
The meeting was robust, didactic and politically engaging. Some participants on behalf of their organizations volunteered to trickle down received messages to female stakeholders who operate at the grassroots level to help educate, enlighten and sensitive them on their roles as women, mothers and political stakeholders before, during and after the election period.
Despite identifying societal setbacks, participants unanimously mainstreamed and advocated for the political emancipation, empowerment and inclusion of women in political decision making from grassroots to national levels with the attendant call for women to bond together for better results.
To avoid the ambiguity of purpose and intent, an official from the political umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was on hand to guide participants on INEC's laid down rules for engagement and voting and need for voters to go collect their permanent voters cards (PVC's) from their designated collection units at ward level to enable them exercise their franchise in the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State.
As participants expressed their thoughts, setbacks and the need for women to bond together to better promote their cause, NAWOJ National Vice President, (Zone F), Comrade Stella Macaulay posited that society has outlived the era of money politics, noting that it was time to watch out for politicians who deliver on their promises and not those who have kept on selling dummies over the years. She said it was time for politicians to be forthright by doing the needful.
Chairperson, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities, Edo State, who also doubles as Chairperson, Forum of Women with Disabilities, Edo State, Mrs. Ann Ojugo advocated for one cause, "Inclusion of women with disabilities in politics."
Sharing her perspective, she pointed out that when women with disabilities come to political wards to register, they should be welcomed instead of being looked down upon with scorn and disdain. She observed that negative vibes and attitude towards physically challenged individuals scared off such persons from future participation.
Praising the Edo State Government for coming up with the "Edo State Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Law, enacted in July 2022, which aims to fully integrate individuals with disabilities into society as equal members, eliminating barriers and prohibiting any form of discrimination based on disability," Ojugo sensitized people to integrate and show love and understanding to those living with disabilities while urging government to extend this received courtesy to the political terrain such that people with disabilities are able to key in and fully utilize herein the allotted five (5%) percent slot existing in other spheres to make for more visibility and voice.
Barr. Faith Obasuyi who stood in for the "Women in politics" group said women should encourage and support themselves. She opined that the constitution should stipulate and make some positions available to women in the political terrain even as she observed that poverty is a threat to democracy hence the call for women to encourage their children not to be manipulated by politicians.
Barr. Eko Onome a member of FIDA harped on prevailing societal pull him down (PHD) syndrome and stereotyping of women who show interest in politics and leadership roles. She said "Women get tagged as irresponsible women who don't take care of their children when they go into politics. Women must encourage their kind. They should remove sentiment."
To gain recognition, women were encouraged to engage in mentorship of others, build a high level of integrity, represent one body or another to make messages trickle to the rural areas to counter deception and earn trust. Women, it was revealed, attain leadership when they define who they are.
In her vote of thanks, NAWOJ Chairperson, Edo State, Comrade Adesua Ehimuan while thanking participants for honouring their call also exhorted them to be at the front burner at decision making in politics.
While revealing the clamour to integrate and sensitize professional and other women across the eighteen (18) local government areas of Edo State to participate in the September 21 governorship election, she said it was time to change the narrative at constituency, ward, local government levels by networking with those involved in grassroots politics.
Ehimuan stated that NAWOJ (National) put this event together to encourage one another in all states, especially Edo State, to give life and support so as to make the state better.
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